JAL Ties Up with Japanese Private Lodging Website Operator (News)

Tokyo, Feb. 8 (Jiji Press)—Japan Airlines said Thursday that it has formed a capital and business alliance with Hyakusenrenma Inc., a minpaku private lodging website operator.

The tie-up with the Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture-based minpaku broker is aimed at increasing demand from foreign tourists for flights to local cities in Japan at a time when an increase in the number of Japanese passengers cannot be expected due to the declining population, JAL said.

JAL has invested several hundred million yen in Hyakusenrenma to boost joint development of products that combine minpaku services with airplane tickets and sell them on its website. Hyakusenrenma will sell JAL tickets for inbound tourists on its website.

The two companies also plan to promote minpaku facilities in areas with limited accommodations even though they have potential tourism resources, such as natural heritage sites and historic landmarks.